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The Learning Institute

Returning to blended learning – a student view

Level 6 BA (Hons) Advancing Practice top-up degree student Vicky reflects on the return to blended learning after a full academic year online.

March 2020 will go down in history as the start of lockdown in the UK, which in turn signified the start of full-time online learning for university students all across the country. 

However, September 2021 was a far more exciting date as it was the return to face-to-face learning with The Learning Institute.  For me, it was an exciting time not just because I enjoy these sessions, but I hadn’t seen my friends from my PAT group in person since the middle of the first year, and we are just about to embark on our third and final year. 

There was also though a slight air of trepidation about returning, as in the last 18 months I had got used to working online, and I had got used to the routine of studying at home.  I needn’t have worried myself though as returning to Alec Reed Academy and seeing the long walk down the drive to the main entrance took me back to my uni home where I was instantly at ease.

The first session was amazing - whilst our group has shrunk in numbers since we were last face-to-face, it was so good to be back with friends and learning in the classroom.  Once all the pleasantries were over it was down to the more serious business of preparing for our final year – Level 6.  This is a slightly different year as it initially feels like an exercise in how to hit the ground running and dive straight into the first module, but I think this is how it needs to be, and strangely it feels quite comforting as I know that the tutors feel that we are well-prepared for this, and it is good to know that they have the faith in us to be able to make such a huge step.  However, knowing that they are on hand to help and guide as always does make things a little easier.

I am really looking forward to this final year and becoming more independent with my studies and hopefully walking away at the end with a BA honours degree.